Oshkosh Area School District weighs closing Smith Elementary School

OSHKOSH - The Oshkosh Area School District is considering whether to close one of its elementary schools.

A district spokesperson confirmed Wednesday that a letter was sent to families of Smith Elementary School students outlining a plan for the future of the facility.

The letter, signed by Superintendent Vickie Cartwright and Principal Marcie Gundlach, cited ongoing maintenance needs as reasons for the potential closure. The needed repairs include roof and foundation work that could become "exceedingly expensive."

"With this understanding, we are in a position that requires us to evaluate our options and have some very difficult conversations about what is best for our students and our school," school officials said.

Communications director Katie Nieman said the district will provide the School Board with information on the potential closing during its May 22 meeting.

The presentation will include an overview of Smith Elementary's current and ongoing maintenance needs, the design of learning spaces and enrollment trends. District leaders will present board members with several courses of action, including a recommendation to permanently close the school at the end of the current school year, officials said.

If the board opts to close Smith Elementary, students would move to another school or multiple nearby schools, including Jefferson Elementary School and Shapiro STEM Academy, officials said.

School leaders are encouraging families to attend or view the board meeting and attend several information sessions, the first of which is set for 6 p.m. May 23 at Smith Elementary.

The board is expected to decide in June whether to close Smith Elementary based on the information, Nieman said.